NIAGARA FALLS
City pursues $5 million from state to turn former school into lofts
Published: April 10, 2009, 12:30 am
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The long-vacant and neglected former South Junior High School soon might become home for some residents of Niagara Falls.
School District and city officials are partnering with developers to apply for a $5 million Restore New York grant that would fund the purchase and transformation of the building into 52 market-rate loft apartments.
The low-income housing would be targeted at young adults working at the nearby Seneca Niagara Casino and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, said developer Murray Gould. The housing also could attract artists because of its proximity to the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, Mayor Paul A. Dyster said.
“There have been attempts over the past few years from different parties to try to come up with a solution, said Gould, of Oswego-based Port City Preservation, who is partnering with Buffalo architect Clinton Brown. “I don’t know the reason, but obviously nothing ever happened. When you look at that building and look at the market, we think the time is right.”
Dyster said the city is supporting the proposed $15 million development, which is the first adaptive reuse project to become a serious possibility. Neighbors in the area oppose demolishing the structure, and rehabilitation would be a much greener and more efficient use of resources, Dyster added.
In addition to 52 loft-style apartments, plans call for the school’s auditorium to remain intact and available for public use, Gould said.
But the former school, which closed in 1985, has been plagued by neglect over the years, including a leaky roof that has invited water damage. Without funding through the Restore New York program, the proposal will end up like the others, which failed before, Gould said.
“One of the reasons you see so many historic buildings vacant is the economics simply don’t work, he said. With the costs associated with rehabilitation and running it, you can’t make it work. You need some sort of subsidy.”
Other proposed developments at the site of the school received backing from the city and School District, but ultimately fell apart.
In 2007, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center proposed demolishing the school and building an assisted living facility. The city’s Urban Renewal Agency allocated $131,000 in casino revenue toward the plan, but it fizzled.
In 2006, the School District approved selling the school to Regan Development of Ardsley for $75,000, but the company backed out a year later citing low demand for housing in the city and opposition from area residents.
District voters would have to approve selling the property in a referendum.
A request for rezoning the property to mixed use is on the table for Wednesday’s city Planning Board meeting, and Brown will attend to answer questions about the development, Gould said.
The development would not affect the placement of the new playground of Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hopes, which is expected to be installed and ready for use later this month, Dyster said.
The Restore New York grant application is due May 4 and a decision is expected by July.
niagaranews@buffnews.com
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